Equal Opportunity Statement

The Department of Technical and Adult Education and its constituent Technical Colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all educational programs and activities including admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other Department and Technical College-administered programs. It also encompasses the employment of personnel and contracting for goods and services. The Department and Technical Colleges shall promote the realization of equal opportunity through a positive continuing program of specific practices designed to ensure the full realization of equal opportunity. Any violation or questions should be directed to Keren Wynn, VP for Administrative Services, Title IX Coordinator, Building 500, Office 535, 4089 Val Tech Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602, or call (229) 333-2103; or Shalonda Sanders, Director of Human Resources, Building 100, Room 114, 4089 Val Tech Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602, or call (229) 333-5356; or Charlotte Hesters, Director of Retention & Special Needs, ADA & Section 504 Coordinator, Building 100, Office 104, 4089 Val Tech Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602, or call (229) 259-5195. The hearing impaired may call (TDD) 1-800-255-0056.

Retaliation in any form against individuals bringing grievances is prohibited and will subject the offender to disciplinary action. In many instances it is also a violation of state and federal law.

STUDENT GRIEVANCES
The procedures listed below include sexual harassment and all other forms of harassment listed in the preceding Equal Opportunity Statement.

1. Informal Complaint Procedure. Student complaints may be resolved on an informal basis without the filing of a formal grievance.

a. A student has 90 calendar days from the date of the incident being grieved to resolve his or her complaint informally by reporting to the office of the Title IX Coordinator, the ADA & Section 504 Coordinator, or their designee, depending on the nature of the grievance (see Coordinator contact information at the conclusion of this procedure). The Coordinator will conduct an informal investigation by discussing the alleged incident(s) with the instructor, department chair, or other staff or faculty member directly involved, and then attempting to reconcile the complaint.

b. Where this process does not result in a resolution of the grievance, the student may proceed to the formal grievance procedure. Note: At any point during the informal complaint procedure, the student may elect to switch to the formal grievance procedure.

2. Formal Complaint Procedure. Where a student cannot resolve his or her complaint informally, he or she shall use the formal grievance procedure.

a. Within 90 calendar days of the incident being grieved, the student must file a formal grievance in the office of the Title IX Coordinator, ADA & Section 504 Coordinator, or their designee, depending on the nature of the grievance (see Coordinator contact information at the conclusion of this procedure). Barring extenuating circumstances, formal grievances filed after 90 calendar days will not
be considered.

b. If the grievance is against the Title IX Coordinator, the student shall file the grievance in the Office of the President. If the grievance is against the ADA & Section 504 Coordinator, the student shall file the grievance in the Office of the Title IX Coordinator.

c. The Title IX Coordinator, or the ADA &Section 504 Coordinator, or their designees, will investigate the complaint and supply a written response to the student within 30 calendar days. Note: The President, at his or her discretion, may allow additional time to investigate and provide a written response if circumstances warrant a timeframe extension. Written notice shall be provided to the grieving student advising of the extension.

d. If the grieved incident is closely related to an incident being processed through the disciplinary procedure, the disciplinary procedure will take precedence and the grievance will not be processed until after the disciplinary procedure has run its course.

3. Appeal: If a student is unsatisfied with the response from the Title IX or ADA & Section 504 Coordinator, the student may appeal the decision to the President of the College.

a. A student shall file a written appeal to the President within 10 calendar days of receiving the response.

b. The appeal will be decided based entirely on documents provided bythe student and the administration during the initial grievance process; therefore, the student and administration must ensure that they have provided all relevant documents with the appeal.

c. The President or his designee will review the information provided by the student and administration and make the final decision within 30 calendar days of the date of the appeal.

d. The decision of the President may be appealed to the Valdosta Technical College Board of Directors (Board contact information is found on the VTC website) and to the Commissioner, Department of Technical and Adult Education, respectively.